AGEN wishes you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Singida Women Entrepreneurs have Money in Their Hands but they……….

It is an excellent start for women entrepreneurs in JUWAKI’s Singida region. The entrepreneurs at various levels benefit from AGEN’s grant. At the top left Fatuma Juma Lusinde has accessed the grant and improved her business of selling vegetables. The Iguguno village community can access more vegetables and Fatuma’s family can have delicious and nutritious food on the table. Neema Kitundu, at the top right, owns a shop; AGEN’s grant enabled her to buy more merchandise for her shop. She sells cereals and “ready made things” that are in high demand at the village. Although the community has increased access to important basic needs, Neema’s family has increased potential to send to schools both girls and boys.

If we shall talk of either iron ladies or inborn entrepreneurs, Rehema Nkya is one of them. Johnson and Rasel (AGEN members) who know her can bear witness. Like many other successful entrepreneur, Rehema Nkya diversifies products and creates new businesses for her customers. Although, Rehema has opened a new saloon to allow ladies at Iguguno and neighboring villages to beautify themselves, she is known for her delicious meals offered at her restaurant. Sharing his views, Rasel said, “in 2007, I ate chapatti (special hand prepared Tanzanian bread) and supu ya kuku (special Tanzania chicken soup which can also be consumed with several staples including maize) at her restaurant; they were extremely delicious.” Rehema’s success has enabled her to send her children, regardless of gender, to school. At the time, when AGEN founders prepared a proposal and built a case for its feasibility, they argued that some of the women entrepreneurs have sent their husbands to school. If somebody would ask us to present a specific case, we would present Rehema to them. More than four years ago, Rehema was successful enough to encourage her husband to join agricultural college for further studies. She paid most of the tuition fees and other expenses. At the same time, she continued to pay fees for her children at home. AGEN depend on her because we will send her to different places to train others and learn from them, all for the sake of women entrepreneurs in her locality.

Finally and since we are down to business, the women entrepreneurs bravely proposed things to be improved and acted upon. AGEN has addressed some of them and has devised strategies address the remaining ones. We will learn about these strategies as things unfold.

AGEN’s First Training of Trainers (ToT) A SUCCESS INDEED

The birth of a new vocabulary features the atmosphere during preparation of and execution of the historical AGEN ToT TRAINING. The vocabulary, “Agener’s” has been officially adopted by many. We will probably be calling you Agener to diverge from the term “member” which is so commonly and frequently used by many. We are exceptional people who do exceptional things as we change our world, as we execute cutting edge monitoring and empowerment, as we execute projects in ways that no one else has attempted. AGEN is a product of innovative creation. Grassroots outcomes, at least for the past few months, have showcased our innovative potential because grassroots people have started to benefit. Indeed, we stand out of a crowd.

The success of AGEN’s first ToT training is applauded by both members and likely supporters of grassroots empowerment projects in the continent. AGENERS have made it and they are more than ready to take AGEN to the next level. On November 15 2011, Jesse James, AGEN Administrative Office and Board member wrote, “ ...I wish to record my appreciation for a very good turn up... to the Training despite your busy schedules and...raining in Dar es Salaam on that day…. We had a total of 21 members who attended out of 30 who confirmed to participate. That was a great achievement.”

On the same day, Peter Mkufya one of resourceful persons in the training wrote, “ ...I must say that the ToT workshop was...very wonderful...experience...professionalism really dominated the scene. I was very impressed to hear people's positive comments...; especially the brilliant ideas you have been sharing across with your friends…I won't forget this that during the workshop several participants were saying around.... I was linked to this lady/gentleman by ....of course which was the case to me.... I couldn't have known people like James, Mlaki, Johnson, Peter, Diana, Edward, Maltida etc. that day....For this I have seen the power of networking. “ A few days later, a long time gender activist and dedicated Agener, Matilda Mkami Sabayi shared her views, as a participant, with one of the editors, “ given my analysis of existing NGOs in Tanzania and international ones that I am aware of, AGEN stands to become the best and most reputable international NGO in the continent.”

Matilda is in possession of, Bachelor of Education, MA; currently she is a PhD candidate at University of Dar Es Salaam specializing on Agriculture (Irrigation) and Rural Livelihoods. Matilda a very resourceful Agener and inborn entrepreneur, knows what it takes to be a girl in a community where girls are given second priority. Matilda is an exception in her family in that she managed to raise herself to the highest level of education among all.
Sharing similar views, another participant wrote, “All members during ToT envisioned growth of AGEN...being the only organization in Tanzania comprised of most educated individuals... which predicts success of AGEN in Sub-Saharan Africa. ”

On November 17 2011, Mr. Bugingo Massana, another resourceful person and Agener, specializing on management and with over 30 years in the field (both local and international), wrote, “I am glad to inform you that we had a nice training at the University of UDSM, and the Organizers of the training were kind. We learned from one another and I do hope that things will be good in future. “ Mr. Massana’s presentation was on management. Participants benefited much from his expertise and experience in the field.

Mr. Felix Mlaki, AGEN’s board member, chose no to comment on the status of the workshop; nevertheless, he played his part by deeds. As a key resource person who designed the syllabus for the ToT, Felix facilitated the following key topics: Definition of Entrepreneurship, Qualities of an Entrepreneurship, Business Opportunities, Economic/Business Principles, Sources of Capital for business, Entrepreneurship in Tanzania’s context, Factors to consider for financing and Record keeping. At the end of his presentation, Mr. Felix adviced participants to observe the following: “Develop skills; Always aim to improve; Thing big and start small.”

Mr. Mirau Mbise, Agener and one of the resource persons specializing in marketing, couldn’t make it due to unavoidable circumstances. However, he managed to train David Manyerere, a development expert, to facilitate ToT at Dar Es Salaam. Their presentation focused on marketing (the process of interesting potential customers and clients in your products and/or services). Mbise and Manyerere covered the following issues: entrepreneurship (the assumption of risk and responsibility in designing and implementing a business strategy or starting a business); General Enterprising Tendencies (Strategic, Future orientated, Aggressive, Confident, Growth seeking, Hardworking, Opportunistic, Networking, Flexible); Who are the potential customers?; How to retain current and get new customers?; Internal Environment (marketing mix); External Environment (customer analysis and competitor analysis).

Mr. Mkufya presented a topical issue on how to overcome fears in entrepreneurship ventures. He specifically covered things such as the meaning of fear in entrepreneurial terms; identification of fear triggers and avoidance of the same; application of ten practical solutions/overcoming fear; establishment of Fear Index and finalized his case studies by presenting informative case studies.

Ms. Diana Carvalho, AGEN’s Executive Director and board member, facilitated an important and productive presentation on What is a business plan and what are important contents of a business plan. The rule of the thumb is successful entrepreneurs are excellent creators of sound and viable business plans.

Indeed, first Training of Trainers (ToT) on Saturday November 12, 2011 which started at 8:30 am at the School of Law of the University of Dar es Salaam was a success, AGEN has 21 well trained entrepreneurs who will be taking turns to visit grassroots women entrepreneurs in Iringa and Singida. The only challenge to AGEN is to raise funds so that the trainers can reach entrepreneurs scattered all over Sub-Saharan Africa within the next few years. Congratulations to all Ageners.

Ambassador Presents AGEN Women's Empowerment Grant

On September 14, Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt met with Tanzania U.S. State Alumni Association (TUSSAA) recipients of the $25,000.00 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) competition from the Office of Alumni Affairs at the U.S (the recipients have formed an organization called AGEN and are often reffered to as AGEN members). Department of State. The Ambassador presented the recipients with a gift camera and a certificate from the U.S. Department of State signed by Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Ann Stock.

The recipients are Fulbright and Hubert Humphrey programs alumni Mr. Rasel Mpuya Madaha, Mr. James Jesse, Rehema Monko, Mr. Felix Mlaki, Dr. Elinami Swai, Ms. Grace Mushi, Ms. Happy Kikwa, Mr. Bakari A. Bakari, Mr. Francis Edward Semwaza, Ms. Zena Kiwanga, Ms. Happiness Constantine, Mr. Peter Kabigi, Gift Tyea, Ms. Anna Chikoti, Ms. Wende Mpozi, Ms. Furaha Njovu, Mr. Awadh Awadh, and Ms. Diana Carvalho. Mr. Jesse and his fellows were accompanied by the following TUSSAA leaders: Dr. Peter Mateso (President), Ms. Grace Mushi (Secretary), Ms. Halima Mamuya (Treasurer), Advocate Victoria Mandari (Legal Adviser) and Mr. Peter Masika (Volunteering and Community Services Coordinator).

In his remarks, Ambassador Lenhardt thanked the alumni and AGEN representatives for their leadership promoting empowerment programs for women and girls. "Promoting active alumni programs is one of my highest priorities. I admire your leadership as U.S.-Tanzania alumni dedicated to 'giving back' to your fellow Tanzanians, and your ideas to promote Tanzania's development. It is essential to include the immense talents and contributions of women towards Tanzania's development. Your grant supports that vision. I congratulate you in that Tanzania was one of 38 chosen from a total of 683 submitted proposals, and look forward to our continued partnership." the Ambassador said.

In his remarks, TUSSAA member and AGEN's adminstrative Officer Mr. James Jesse (Fulbright alumnus 2007), thanked the Ambassador and the American people for their support for alumni programs. "We have been fortunate to receive opportunities that have served our professional goals, and are committed to strengthening our work to promote greater opportunities for young Tanzanians. We thank you and the American people for this opportunity to help women and youth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through funding our exchanges to the U.S. and through the AEIF, you have contributed to our ability to change lives and improve our country."

The AEIF competition offers alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programs the opportunity to address global issues on local, national, regional or international level. The AGEN's proposal is titled, "Women's Empowerment in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa through Capacity Building and Training."

Courtesy of the US Mission in Tanzania at http://tanzania.usembassy.gov/ass_09142011.html

AGEN off to a Good start in Iringa Tanzania

On October 27 2011, MCO a local partner grassroots NGO of AGEN distributed 7.2 million Tanzanian shillings to 5 entrepreneurial groups to benefit 100 women entrepreneurs. This is the part of the AEIF grant given to AGEN members to execute an innovative grassroots project to empower women entrepreneurs in remotest areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The major event coincided with presence of American students (George Bouchard, Elia Hudson who are hosted by MCO, their mentor and other Americans hosted by other agencies in the region) from the University of Earlham as part of cultural exchange and exposure of the same. The Americans were invited and they full participated in the event.

The invitation of Americans was an attempt, by grassroots women of Iringa, to send a direct message of thanks to the American people. The event was attended by various key stakeholders including government authorities, entrepreneurship group representatives and representative of an international NGO: Student Partnership Worldwide (SPW). Key representatives of various institutions included Mwangata Ward Counselor Mr. Gahus Lugenge who represented the District Executive Director of Iringa municipality, Ms. Derah Nziku Women’s special seat Ward Counselor, Ward Executive Officer Mr. Bw Atilio Maginga; SPW Director of Home stay Mr. Geofrey Kombo and Ms Leshi Bishga from University of Earlham.

The women entrepreneurs groups with number of participants and distribution was as follows: Agano (25 beneficiaries to equally share Tanzanian Shillings 1,800,000); Twitange (25 beneficiaries- Tanzanian Shillings 1,800,000); Amani (24 beneficiaries to equally share Tanzanian Shillings 1,728,000); Ipomla (16 beneficiaries to equally share Tanzanian Shillings 1,152,000) and Twilumba (10 beneficiaries to equally share- Tanzanian Shillings 720,000). Thanks are sent to the American people, from AGEN members, Tanzanian alumni and grassroots people for making the innovative venture possible.

Alumni Ms. Adere stuns the world

Joy Adere is one of the five recipients of Young African Women Leaders” (YAWL) grants program, a Michelle Obama– inspired State Department initiative intended to support women activists throughout Africa in their efforts to enable, empower, and enrich the daily lives of African women and girls in rural villages or crowded urban slums. In a way that no person would expect, AGEN has been astonished by the
speed with which AGEN-Nigeria develops. Mrs. Joy Aderele Coordinator AGEN-Nigeria (far right in both photos. She is in pink and so the background of the article to honor her exceptional success) has teamed up with other NGOs to impact the lives of grassroots women in remotest areas of Nigeria. The project is titled: Increasing Access of Married Female Adolescents to Education in Northern Nigeria whose goal is to Eliminate illiteracy and increase economic opportunities through academic & vocational training of 100 married female Adolescents in Northern Nigeria by the end
of project year. Project objectives include: provide academic education (Basic English, Math and Entrepreneurship class) to 100 married adolescents in project States; Provide vocational training (Sewing, Hair-dressing, bead-making & Catering) to 100 married adolescents in project States; Enhance the life skills of 100 married adolescents in 2 Local Government Areas; Improve the quality of life of 100 married adolescents in2 Northern communities; Establish a critical mass of stakeholders that will enhance the sustainability of beneficiaries activities at the community level and document and share project experience and lessons learntwith stakeholders.

All of this is done because early marriage, one of the biggest challenge to grassroots women empowerment, is an important potential contributor to illiteracy for adolescent girls in northern Nigeria; this has led to low access to economic opportunities and hence poverty. 75 percent of young women who live in rural areas of North East or North West Nigeria have never been to school. Similarly, 64 percent of young women in North East Nigeria and 71 percent of young women in North West Nigeria are illiterate as divulged by Nigeria Population Council & AHIP in 2006. All of this is amidst the fact that the Child Rights Act was enacted in 2003 by the Federal Government of Nigeria but governments of many states in the country lag behind in its implementation. Most distressing is that younger girls are married
off to older men at a tender age and their economic opportunities and livelihood are hampered. Most of these married adolescents cannot read and write because they were taken out of school and married off to older men at tender age of 13 years or less; just imagine what would you at that age. The fact that they are being married at an early age is not all that they experience, their economic opportunities are shattered
because they have no any means of livelihood especially when their husbands marry younger wives and neglect them and their children as Mrs Adele and her fellow awardees argue.

If we could clarify more on the project 100 married adolescents in Nasarawa State Northern Nigeria will be educated and mentored, over a period of 9 months. The biggest innovation of the project is that married adolescent who have stopped schooling or have never been to school will be given access to education outside the
conventional school system that does not admit pregnant women or nursing mother. They will learn the basics – how to read and write simple English language,basic Mathematics and Entrepreneurial/vocational classes such as sewing, hairdressing, bead-making and catering. Indirectly, these educated and empowered women will value education and educate their children, hereby eradicating/reducing generational illiteracy. Also, the training will involve vocational training that will result in
access to economic opportunities to elevate their standard of living. Affirmative Action on Gender Equality Network (AGEN) partners on this project with U.S. Embassy in Nigeria,Adolescent Girls Initiative, Centre for Learning and Strategic Studies (CLASS) and Africa Girl-Child Empowerment (AGE) Initiative. Project will take place
at Akwanga and Lafia, both communities are in Nasarawa State in Northern Nigeria.

My fellow dedicated AGEN members the bottom line here is that AGEN members from all over Sub-Saharan Africa should make use of whatever resources we have to advance women’s empowerment all over the region. What Mrs. Joy Aderele Coordinator AGENNigeria tells us here is that take action right now because AGEN’s vision and
mission are very clear; the fact that we the best of the best in the world came together means that we can do anything today; right now. Our mission says that, “To help women and men cope with the impact of fast globalizing world, we will invest in women and men through cutting edge monitoring and empowerment techniques; the end
product will be empowered women and men capable of navigating a fast globalizing world and be free from the cycle of poverty We will also identify opportunities available in local and international contexts and invest to sustain benefits of our intervention.” Mrs. Joy Aderele (but she manages all others and the one who signed the contract at the embassy) and her fellow will both empower the women and monitor progress to ensure sustainability. The opportunities that Ms Adere has made use of are NGOs available in the country (local context) and the US mission (international context) in Nigeria to invested in those and sustain benefits obtained. In other words, the AGEN Spotlight will start to go public to share the two ongoing projects in both Tanzania and Nigeria. This is one of the greatest achievements within a short time from launching our greatest international NGOs. I am so happy that we can now boast of two ongoing projects in two impoverished countries (but with many resources) of Sub-Saharan Africa. AGEN’s dedicated member get ready to give your full support intellectually, politically, economically, socially, and culturally to make this project, and that one in Tanzania, the most successful in the world. I on the other hand, will ensure that Joy Adere is aware of and gets all of the US government documents necessary to manage US funds. We will write reports together and do whatever it takes to succeed. What I can guarantee is that Adere
is one of the most dedicated and creative member. I assure you that AGEN chapter in
Nigeria will excel because all of us will work towards that end.

-By Rasel Madaha (information extracted from AGEN-NIGERIA AND US Mission in
Nigeria)

University of Buffalo Students and all interested people-Welcome to AGEN and Friends of Sub-Saharan Africa for Global Peace (FSAGP) students' club

Hey,

Thanks a lot to those of you who took our informative leaflets and take your time to read about AGEN.

AGEN is going to launch a new students club for campus organizing and activism. This intercultural group will allow students from all over the world and any other devout individual to get connected to people from Sub-Saharan Africa, if interested visit the region and get hosted in homes, participate in campus meeting to raise awareness on Sub-Saharan Africa, participate in talks by reputable speakers who know about Sub-Saharan Africa and so much more. The UB students club is called Friends of Sub-Saharan Africa for Global Peace (FSAGP). Please email us at rasel.madaha@fulbrightmail.org to join this club.

AGEN

Investing in Ice Cream – and Dreams

Apr 21, 2009

There are countless entrepreneurs around the world with big dreams and few resources. Waldemar Marques Carneiro was one of them. He began selling ice cream and sweets out of a single room in his home in Icapuí, Brazil. Thanks to a local microcredit organization, he now has a spacious shop with tables and chairs for 20 customers.

"Hardly anyone else lends such tiny amounts," said Orgape’s founder Francisco de Oliveira Rebouças Neto. "But even 100 reais (US $42) can make a big difference to someone with absolutely no capital."

Neto launched Orgape in 1996, combining microcredit loans with business management training. He is giving his impoverished neighbors a sense of hope in this region’s otherwise gloomy economic landscape.

The beauty salons, cafés, clothing boutiques and butcher shops started through Orgape generate a profit after receiving an average of three loans, each paid back over six to nine months. According to Neto, 54 percent of Orgape clients make a profit, and the program has achieved the lowest loan default rate in all of Brazil.

From the moment an applicant first approaches an Orgape credit agent, the difference between a formal bank and Orgape's more "flexible and local" approach is clear. Orgape does not require extensive guarantees, insisting that almost anyone with a little courage and basic business training can make sustainable profits a reality.

As Neto puts it, "Character is our collateral." Applicants provide three personal references and an Orgape credit agent, an individual born and raised in Icapuí, conducts a thorough background check.

Budgeting large sums of money is just one of the obstacles that small producers face, but Orgape's training creates an appreciation for practical economics. Between loan approval and receiving a check, borrowers undergo one week of training – four hours per day for five days. During this week, Neto uses hands-on exercises modified for adults with little formal schooling. This tailor-made approach generates immediate and relevant results.

"I've learned how to manage money," Carneiro said. "Even when I have a new project in mind – we've just repainted – I don't take out the loan until I'm on the brink of spending it."

Neto also plans to establish partnerships to help close the demand-supply gap as Orgape expands its outreach to rural microenterprise managers. For example, a button-maker in Pedra Branca can sell locally to a shirt-maker in Aracati, who can sell to a shop in nearby Canoa Quebrada, all without setting foot in the big city.

Credit agents have already begun building these kinds of links between Orgape borrowers by word-of-mouth, with plans to integrate this practice into their general training program. The profits earned by these small producers are sustainable because they meet local needs, provide goods and services at prices that the market will bear, and are re-invested into the business.

Orgape hopes to use these techniques to rear the next generation of entrepreneurs. To stimulate entrepreneurship, Neto plans to combine small business practices with traditional school subjects. Math and budgeting for instance naturally go hand-in-hand, and students in language classes will compose business proposals and newspaper ads in addition to writing letters.

As a next step, Neto envisions creating a separate school course called "Entrepreneurship" for 16- and 17-year-olds. Such subjects could make schoolwork more exciting for students, and would allow them to profitably apply the lessons to their everyday lives.

Orgape has survived in part because it is improving people's lives, Neto said. Four years ago, a broom-maker offered only her horse as collateral. Today, she has nine employees. "These small businesses are already generating employment for other people."

Necessity, it is said, is the mother of invention. With Orgape’s help, she has inspired her Brazilian children to do more with less

Source: http://www.changemakers.com/stories/investing-ice-cream-and-dreams

US envoy hails Tanzania as best investment destination in Africa

10th June 2011

United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk

United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk has said that Tanzania is among African countries where his government invests more time and resources.

A press statement issued in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday quoted Kirk as saying that the fact that Tanzania was a safe and peaceful country had attracted many US companies and trading institutions to opt for conducting business here.

“Tanzania stands a chance to record successes, and the US government would like to be part of these successes”, said the ambassador during his meeting with President Jakaya Kikwete at State House in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

Elaborating, he said the US government was impressed with the bilateral relations between the two countries, and that it would like to continue strengthening them.

“The US government enjoys its relationship with Tanzania and there is not a single African country where we invest much of our time and resources. This is the best country for business and economic relationship,” he said.

Kirk said some of the areas where the American government provides support was 'Feed the Future’ project, and other areas under the Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC).

Projects under MCC are energy, infrastructure, water and major health projects through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Tanzania also enjoys business opportunities through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

He said the US was gearing itself up to increasing its business investments with the intention to create more employment opportunities. He said the biggest US companies would continue to establish business ventures in Tanzania so as to boost economic growth.

For his part, President Kikwete thanked the US government for supporting development projects. He said US companies could still invest in the sectors of construction, five-star hotels, minerals, agriculture, infrastructure and construction of the central railway line.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN-http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=29989

Statement by Ms. Magdalena Sepulveda, Independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty, delivered at the Human Rights Coouncil

Statement by Ms. Magdalena Sepulveda, Independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty, delivered at the Human Rights Coouncil 17th Session, presenting her annual report and two country mission reports (Viet Nam and Ireland)

Mr. President, Distinguished members of the Human Rights Council, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to present my annual report to the Human Rights Council. Since my previous report in June last year, I submitted a report to the General Assembly, highlighting the importance of social protection measures in facilitating the achievement of the MDGs. At the fifteenth session of the Human Rights Council, I presented a report on my mission to Bangladesh and a progress report with detailed recommendations on how to improve the draft guiding principles on extreme poverty and human rights.

Over the past year, I participated in numerous events and held working meetings with Governments, UN agencies, the World Bank, donor agencies, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, human rights practitioners and representatives of people living in poverty. I also took part in the Latin American Regional Consultation on the draft general guidelines on foreign debt and human rights, and the Third Forum on Minority Issues.

Today, I am presenting my fourth report to the Council as well as the reports on my official missions to Viet Nam and Ireland. I wish to thank the Governments of Viet Nam and Ireland for inviting me and for extending their cooperation. I very much appreciated the spirit of openness and cooperation shown during my visits

Mr. President,

Since I started my work as an Independent Expert, the world has been affected by an unprecedented economic and financial crisis that has had devastating consequences for those living in poverty.

In developed and developing countries across the world, the global economic and financial crises have exacerbated deprivations, and increased inequality and poverty. Tens of millions of people have fallen into income poverty because of the crises, and many more will remain in poverty than otherwise would have. Increased inequality has diminished social cohesion and exacerbated feelings of insecurity and exclusion, resulting in mounting social unrest and instability. This situation has become so intolerable that in several countries we have witnessed how people have been compelled to take the streets to express their grievances. As ever, the most marginalized and disadvantaged have suffered and continue to suffer the worst effects of crises, and the impending food crisis threatens to deplete further their already exhausted capabilities and resources.

Faced with this devastating situation, Governments have been forced to adopt a series of recovery policies which, in the vast majority of cases, have involved severe austerity measures. The report presented today focuses on the impact of recovery measures on the enjoyment of human rights by people living in poverty and sets out the parameters that should guide such measures to ensure compliance with human rights obligations and the protection of the most vulnerable sectors of society. The report emphasises that if States implement recovery measures in line with human rights principles economies will not only recovery faster, but also recovery will be more sustainable and inclusive.

Human rights are not dispensable during times of crisis and recovery. States cannot use the economic damage caused by the crises to justify actions or omissions that amount to violations of human rights obligations. For State parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, this means that they must dedicate the maximum amount of resources available to progressively achieve the full realization of all economic, social and cultural rights, even during difficult economic times.

While it is fully justifiable and necessary to implement austerity measures in times of crisis, many States are designing and implementing recovery measures that threaten to further exacerbate the desperate situation of the poorest and most vulnerable, and jeopardize the ability of States to meet their human rights obligations. Of grave concern is the decision by some States to curtail already limited social protection schemes, by reducing the level of benefits or extent of coverage, or introducing stricter controls or criteria. Cuts to social protection systems seriously compromise the ability of States to ensure minimum essential levels of human rights for all, particularly the poorest and may violate the prohibition on retrogressive measures.

Other measures of concern include the implementation of regressive taxation measures, which may disproportionately impact those who are already experiencing financial difficulties; reductions in public sector workforce and wages, which will severely impede the delivery of social services to people living in poverty, especially those in rural areas and the most disadvantaged; and the limiting or elimination of food subsidies, which is particularly worrying given escalating food prices and increasing food insecurity.

Mr. President,

The challenge of recovering from the damage of successive crises presents a unique opportunity for States to formulate a transformative vision for the future aimed at the full realization of human rights. By putting human rights at the centre of their responses to the crises, States ensure a recovery premised on equality, inclusiveness and a genuine sense of social cohesion. I call on States to orient the discussion about recovery away from deficit reduction and towards the reduction of deprivation and the eradication of obstacles to the realization of rights. Through a human rights-based recovery, States have the chance to embrace new and ambitious approaches to reducing inequality, eliminating poverty and creating stable societies and economies that will withstand future shocks.

In the report I explain how human rights can provide a clear legal framework for the design and implementation of inclusive policy responses. There is no space in human rights for a trickle-down approach. Unfortunately, the evidence shows that economic growth does not translate into improved conditions for the poorest, if these improvements are not conducted through appropriate public policies. From a human rights perspective, recovery must start with the most disadvantaged and marginalized segments of society. To this end, in the final part of my report I recommend a number of concrete recovery measures that States should consider adopting in order to facilitate a human rights based recovery.

A comprehensive rights-based social protection floor must be the foundation of any transformative recovery from the crises. Strengthening social protection systems now will ensure greater resilience against future crises and supporting the most vulnerable will help to prevent the transmission of the effects of the crises to future generations.

While employment creation is a vital for generating economic growth, I wish to stress that it is essential that States direct their efforts towards generating opportunities for sustainable, productive and decent work in which individuals can exercise and realize their human rights. Human rights norms and standards require States to ensure just and favourable conditions of work, including safe and healthy working conditions, reasonably limited hours, paid annual leave, and the right to form and join trade unions. I call on States to promote policies that increase the employability of groups that face specific barriers in accessing employment, such as women, persons with disabilities, young people and ethnic minorities.

The report details a number of other human rights-based recovery measures that States should implement. These include adopting gender-sensitive policies to ensure that recovery from the crises does not exclude women; implementing socially responsible taxation policies in order to maximize available resources in times of fiscal constraints; regulating banking and financial sector entities and strengthening the accountability and transparency of the financial system, strengthening State institutional and technical capacity, improving the collection of data and the ability of poverty monitoring systems, increasing participation and creating a national dialogue, and ensuring an environmentally sustainable recovery.

In addition, the report calls on States to enhance international assistance and cooperation. Acknowledging that many developing countries have a limited financial and institutional ability to respond to the crises, developed States should not use the crises to justify cuts in development assistance which is of vital importance for the recovery of the least developed countries.

Distinguished members of the Human Rights Council,

Please allow me to now present the report on my mission to Viet Nam that I undertook in August 2010. I would like to once again to thank the Government of Viet Nam for the support and cooperation provided during the visit.

Viet Nam should be applauded for the impressive progress made in the last two decades in reducing poverty and increasing the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by the population. Nonetheless, substantial challenges remain; in 2008, at least 12 million Vietnamese still lived in extreme poverty, and inequality continues to rise. Viet Nam has become a middle income country, and this great achievement poses significant challenges that must be addressed with priority to avoid increasing inequality in the country.

Many of the commendable advances made by Viet Nam in recent years are failing to reach the poorest and most vulnerable populations. Great regional disparities, a large urban-rural divide, and glaring inequalities across ethnic lines persist in Viet Nam. Women, children, people living with disabilities, ethnic minorities and internal migrants all experience considerable obstacles in accessing employment, health care, education and other government services, as well as economic opportunities. Unless these significant disparities are addressed as a matter of priority, chronic inter-generational poverty will continue to persist in Viet Nam.

Mr. President,

I call on Viet Nam to adopt a human rights approach its measures to reduce inequality, alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth. During my mission I particularly focused on social protection measures in Viet Nam, which are an important means through which Viet Nam can meet its human rights obligations. In this regard, I commend the Government for concluding the new Social Security Strategy 2011-2020, which articulates major plans for the promotion of social protection initiatives in Viet Nam, including the introduction of measures aimed at the promotion of employment, universalization of social insurance and expansion of social assistance. Particularly commendable is the fact that the Strategy recognizes people’s right to social security and affirms the need to prioritize poor and vulnerable groups. However, several issues impede the implementation of an effective and human rights-oriented social protection scheme, including the limited coverage of existing social protection programmes due to tight eligibility restrictions and insufficient benefit levels. In my report, I stress that rectifying these deficiencies and taking a human rights approach to social protection will enable Viet Nam to achieve a more equitable and sustainable society.

Let me briefly summarize the findings of the report by saying that while the advances made by Viet Name in the area of poverty reduction are commendable, further efforts must be undertaken to ensure that progress reaches everyone, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable sectors of society. I look forward to continuing the dialogue initiated during this visit and closely following the measures taken by the Government of Viet Nam to improve the situation of people living in extreme poverty.

Mr. President, distinguished delegates,

I have the honour of presenting the report on my mission to Ireland, which I undertook in January this year. I wish to extend my gratitude to the Government of Ireland for the support and cooperation provided to me during the visit.

In the past two decades Ireland has made impressive progress in addressing poverty and social exclusion. The social protection system has been expanded and improved considerably to encompass both contributory payments and non-contributory social assistance, and by 2009 around one third of all people in Ireland were benefiting from some form of social transfer. Unfortunately, recent developments threaten to undermine these achievements.

For the past three years Ireland has been struggling with economic and financial crises of unprecedented proportions. In response, Ireland has pursued a series of austerity measures, some of which jeopardise the State’s ability to meet their human rights obligations, and have the potential to reverse the progress made in alleviating poverty and social exclusion. In this context, my report looks through a human rights lens at the recovery measures employed by Ireland since the inception of the crises, with a focus on the impact on the poorest and most marginalized.

Of utmost concern is the disproportionate impact of cuts in funding to social services, which will affect the poorest and most vulnerable with the greatest severity. A number of measures are particularly concerning, including reductions in child benefits and benefits for job seekers, carers, single-parent families, persons with disabilities and blind persons. The impact of these measures will be exacerbated by funding cuts for a number of services that are essential for the same vulnerable people, including disability, community and voluntary services and Traveller support. By cutting funding to the benefits and services relied on most by the poor and marginalized, Ireland runs a risk of exacerbating and perpetuating the deprivations that vulnerable groups face.

The challenges that Ireland faces in recovering from the crises are great, but they are no excuse to dispense with human rights obligations. Ireland must continue to devote the maximum available resources to the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, and to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable are prioritized. Against this background, Ireland’s decision to achieve the bulk of its budgetary adjustments through cuts in public expenditure rather than increases in taxation is concerning. Reductions in public expenditure affect the poorest and most marginalized with the most severity, whereas some progressive increase in taxation rates could more equitably distribute the burden on those who are better equipped to cope.

During my mission, I was concerned to learn that the formulation of Ireland’s various national recovery plans and budgetary responses to the crises have been undertaken, for the most part, without any meaningful public participation. Failure to ensure participation and transparency in the design of national policies undermines the effectiveness of budgetary adjustment policies and prevents the needs of the poorest and most excluded from being taken into account. I call on Ireland to immediately undertake a human rights review of all budgetary and recovery policies to ensure compliance with its human rights obligations.

I applaud the efforts of the new Government to seek a reduction of the interest rate for the EU/IMF loan. A reduction in the interest rate would increase the funds available to Ireland to protect those most in need. I would like to use this opportunity to remind EU and IMF Member States that, according to their obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, they must do their utmost to ensure that lending policies do not have a detrimental impact on the enjoyment of Covenant’s rights by those living in poverty. I, therefore, call on EU members to consider seriously accepting Ireland’s request for an interest rate reduction.

Mr. President,

I am committed to continue the positive dialogue with the Government of Ireland and I hope that the findings and recommendations of this report will assist the new Government in re-examining the plans for national recovery, while placing human rights at the heart of recovery efforts to enable Ireland to meet its long-standing social goals.

Again, I look forward to engaging with the Council in a dialogue on the three reports presented today. Thank you.

Source: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11099&LangID=E

Marriage quashes education hopes of South Sudan's girls

A girl from Wau, a town in southern Sudan, sits with her belongings waiting for the government of southern Sudan to transport her back before the secession referendum, in Mayo, south of Khartoum January 4, 2011. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

By Julius Uma

JUBA (AlertNet) - It took years of pleading before Jane Aketch persuaded her parents to send her to primary school in the dusty bush of South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria state.

Although her parents wanted her to learn how to read and write, like most of the communities in Aketch's home county of Magwi, they did not place particular importance in furthering a girl's education.

"Generally, in South Sudan, girls are supposed to stay at home and clean, while boys attend school," explained the 14-year-old, who is one of five daughters.

Aketch said her sisters all dropped out of school before completing their primary education.

"My parents didn't approve of us going," she said, shyly looking away.

Yet boosting education will be vital in developing South Sudan as it prepares to become an independent country on July 9, following January's referendum on secession, which was part of a 2005 deal to end two decades of civil war.

Schooling is poor across the board in South Sudan, an overwhelmingly rural region. There is only one teacher for every 1,000 primary school students and 85 percent of adults do not know how to read or write.

For girls and women, it is even worse. UNESCO, the United Nations' (U.N.) educational and cultural organization, estimates that nine out of 10 women are illiterate.

VALUING THE 'GIRL-CHILD'

South Sudanese parents keep their daughters away from school for many reasons. Sometimes, it is a reluctance to send girls to mixed-gender schools. More often, a girl is considered a source of wealth to her family for the "bride price" or dowry she brings upon marriage, and so is married off at a young age.

In some communities, an educated woman who carries a pen rather than a bundle of firewood is considered a disgrace and by virtue of her education may attract a lower dowry.

"I was married off at a very tender age," recalls Rosemary Ajith. "My parents were given so many cows by my husband. Up to now, my younger sisters are not allowed to attend school," she added. "They are often told to follow my example."

Although the tradition of paying "bride price" is ancient, many South Sudanese women are now calling for the practice to be abolished.

"Our communities have to start valuing the importance of educating the 'girl-child' child," said Julia Duany, undersecretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in Southern Sudan's government.

"Too much attachment to some of the cultural norms that are negative towards girls will remain a set-back to the girl-child education policy."

Lise Grande, the U.N. deputy resident and humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan, said Sudanese women themselves should lead the campaign to abolish dowry, rather than U.N. aid agencies.

"If Southern Sudanese women feel that dowry payment should be abolished from their societies, it's upon them to take the lead in the struggle to achieve this," Grande said. "That struggle will not be easy to achieve in reality."

GENDER GAP

Other major obstacles girls face in gaining an education include sexual harassment, early pregnancy and child-to-child, according to a 2008 study by the U.N. children's agency UNICEF.

The study, based on findings from UNICEF's 2006 Rapid Assessment of Learning Spaces, also raised concerns about poorly educated and trained staff handling expanding class sizes, limited supervision at county and state levels as well as low motivation causing teachers to quit the profession.

An estimated 340,000 children were enrolled in primary schools at the time Sudan's 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed, according to UNICEF, and in 2009 primary school enrolment was at 1,362,941 - about 860,000 boys and 502,000 girls. But, according to UNESCO, less than 2 percent of these children complete primary school education.

Source: http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/marriage-quashes-education-hopes-of-south-sudans-girls/